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Saturday, December 19, 2009

Christmas Carols and Other Ponderings...

The day started out... looking like a Christmas card. Everything was covered in soft fluffy snow. Perfect for snowman building. At Christmas, I like to... attend at least one concert where I can hear some of the beautiful carols and music of the season. Sometimes it's Handel's Messiah or Bach's Christmas Oratorio, and sometimes it's a community concert.My favourite character in the Nativity story is... Mary. I have often marveled at her great courage to say to the angel, Gabriel, after he'd told her she would become the mother of Jesus, "Be it unto me according to your word." Such trust and, as I say, courage.An interesting Christmas present I remember getting was a... doll that walked. The only thing was, she had one leg shorter and so she didn't 'walk' very well. As a child, I imagined she had polio, as one of my older cousins walked with a limp from having contracted polio. I named my new doll, Joanne.

One Christmas carol I love listening to is...Once in Royal David's City. I love how the one lone voice begins as if far away and then the one voice is joined with others, building the momentum into a magnificent expression. This one tends to give me shivers down my spine.For me, Christmas begins when... I've been to a concert where I can join in the carol singing. And if I don't get to one, it begins when I start humming my favourites around the house or in my car. Years ago, I used to sing in a choir and every year we'd do a big event for Christmas called The Singing Christmas Tree. A gigantic stand was erected and festooned with tree boughs and thousands of lights. The choir members would stand on this and sing from it. It was quite the experience.

And so, we come to the last few days before the big event. Here's wishing you peaceful 'sugar-plum' dreamin'!

There is a little community about 13 miles from where I live that does the Living Christmas Tree. I have been many times. I agree with you attendance at at least one Christmas musical program is a requisite to give one the Christmas spirit. We always have a grand in one somewhere. Blessings to you and yours.QMM

"Lord, give me an open heart to find You everywhere, to glimpse the heaven enfolded in a bud, and experience eternity in the smallest act of love." ~ Mother Teresa

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Welcome to It's A Beautiful Life. Sometimes I wonder what I could still have to chat about after ten years of blogging. But set me in front of my keyboard and words continue to spill out. For this is still my favourite place to write and connect with fellow kindred spirits. Every day arrives with new gifts and blessings to enjoy ... and write about. It's a privilege to share the journey with you. If the ride gets bumpy, keep watching for glimpses of heaven in unexpected places. And take "courage, dear hearts." (C.S. Lewis) Hugs, Brenda xox